NPA leader operating in Cagayan Valley killed in Peñablanca encounter

Cagayan, Philippines – The highest-ranking official of a communist terrorist group operating in Cagayan Valley was found dead on September 13, two days after the armed encounter in Peñablanca, Cagayan.

The 5th Infantry Division first revealed that two slain cadres of the Komiteng Rehiyon Cagayan Valley (KRCV) were recovered following the clash between the 502nd Infantry Brigade and the KRCV on September 11 in Sitio Pallay, Baliuag.

In the continuing operations of the military, the troops found another corpse on Friday, September 13. The body was later identified as Ariel Arbitrario, also known as ‘Karl/Bogart’, the Regional Secretary of the KRCV.

BGen. Eugene Mata, 502nd Infantry Brigade Commander, during a press conference on September 14, explained that being the ‘regional secretary’, ‘Karl’ was the one leading the KRCV. He added that the high-ranking CTG official died of gunshot wounds.

With the death of 3 rebels, MGen. Gulliver Señires, 5th Infantry Division Commander reiterated the benefits waiting for the rebels should they return to the fold of the law.

“Come down and approach us so that we can help them[rebels]… Help us help you na magbalik loob at mamuhay ng tahimik,” he said.

Military operation in Peñablanca is still ongoing.